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A Portrait of Old Babylonian Algebra and Its Kin

By:

Jens Hoyrup

Format:

Paperback / softback

Series:

Sources and Studies in the History of Mathematics and Physical Sciences

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Description

In this examination of the Babylonian cuneiform "algebra" texts, based on a detailed investigation of the terminology and discursive organization of the texts, Jens Høyrup proposes that the traditional interpretation must be rejected. The texts turn out to speak not of pure numbers, but of the dimensions and areas of rectangles and other measurable geometrical magnitudes, often serving as representatives of other magnitudes (prices, workdays, etc...), much as pure numbers represent concrete magnitudes in modern applied algebra. Moreover, the geometrical procedures are seen to be reasoned to the same extent as the solutions of modern equation algebra, though not built on any explicit deductive structure.

Release date NZ

December 6th, 2010

Author

Jens Hoyrup

Audience

Professional & Vocational

Edition

Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2002

Illustrations

36 Illustrations, black and white; XIV, 462 p. 36 illus.

Pages

462

Series

Sources and Studies in the History of Mathematics and Physical Sciences

Dimensions

156x234x24

ISBN-13

9781441929457

Product ID

8961397

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